Summary
The premiere of Ted Lasso is genuinely funny and gives a promising premise.
This recap of Apple TV+s Ted Lasso season 1, episode 1 contains significant spoilers.
We are covering this weekly — check out the archive of the episode recaps.
The opening of Ted Lasso season 1, episode 1
New owner Rebecca Welton is at a football club putting some items up for auction. She invites the manager George into the office and fires him instantly for his misogynistic behaviour and poor team performances — she calls him a fat tw*t. On the way out, George mocks Rebecca for her divorce. What an opener — we know what we have in store now.
The new manager
We are then introduced to Ted Lasso who has become the new manager of Rebecca’s football club AFC Richmond — he’s from America and his profession usually involves managing American football not European football. Ted is doubting himself a little bit for taking on this challenge. When he arrives he is shown Tower Bridge and is amazed by it.
Welcome to AFC Richmond
Ted Lasso and Coach Beard arrive at the stadium and he touches the grass which panics the kitman Nate. It’s noticeable straight away that Ted feels out of place for being America. They finally meet Rebecca and have an introductory meeting. She gives Ted a tour of the stadium and he asks her if she’s okay about the divorce. Probably not the best question to ask your boss in the first meeting.
The press conference
Ted is soon swept to a press conference unbeknown to him. He addresses the elephant in the room that he’s never coached football. It’s a hilarious scene as he doesn’t understand the usual lingo and terminology for football. Trent Crimm, a sports journalist, asks why he’s managing a Premier football club and wonders if this is a f*cking joke. The press conference turns into absolute chaos. Rebecca Welton walks in and calms the press down, stating the club has been under profound mediocrity. She calls the new way “The Lasso Way”.
An early twist
We are then shown the real intentions of Rebecca in Ted Lasso season 1, episode 1.
When Ted Lasso leaves the press conference that Rebecca reveals that she intends to burn the club to the ground and wants it to fail to get revenge on her husband who used to own it. She tells the Communication Director (Higgins) that he will be the new Football Director. He’s in on the burndown. A strange plot for a funny comedy so far.
A quick ending to a speech
Ted and Beard introduce themselves to the players. Suddenly, one of the footballer’s partners (Keeley) comes in which ends his speech early somewhat. He invites Roy into the office and compliments him — Roy thanks Ted and calls him Coach Ronald F*cking McDonald and walks out. Ted is all about optimism though, telling Beard he’s going to win Roy over.
The ending of Ted Lasso season 1, episode 1
Ted enters the changing room and covers a pair of breasts on one of the lockers. Keeley returns to the changing room and gives him advice to change elements of the changing room. Keeley tells Ted to avoid #Richmond on Twitter. Presumably, there are not nice tweets about him.
Ted returns to his hotel room and rings his family back at home. It’s evident that he’s having marital problems with his wife Michelle as they talk about giving each other space.
The premiere of Ted Lasso is genuinely funny and gives a promising premise.
Additional points
- Ted Lasso states that English tea tastes like sweet brown water.
